After a promising 13-3 start, including winning its first two ACC conference games, the Miami Hurricanes have lost six of their past eight games. The 'Canes experienced another hard fought loss as they nearly pulled off a 14-point comeback and upset of #3 North Carolina before falling 69-65.
Close losses are no new thing to the Hurricanes as five of their past six losses have been by 7 points or less, including back to back overtime losses to Virginia Tech and North Carolina State, and blowing a large lead against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
It seemed that the Hurricanes would be a top team in the ACC after starting off the conference schedule with a win at Boston College and a comeback victory against Maryland, and then getting off to a fast start at North Carolina. The fast start turned into a snail's pace as the 'Canes fell apart and eventually lost by 17.
Miami's enduring schedule is no help either, as the stretch they just finished were against three teams that were all former #1 teams. They prevailed against one team, Wake Forest, in a 27-point win at home.
Jack McClinton has been the clear leader of the team and has emerged as one of the top guards in the nation averaging over 20 points per game and scoring over 30 in the past two games. The supporting cast consisting of Dwayne Collins, James Dews, Lance Hurdle, and Brian Asbury have all been a help as well, but the team has had season long trouble finishing off games.
Nearly all of Miami's conferences games have come down to the wire and in most cases, the Hurricanes fell in a losing effort. The 'Canes stand at a modest 15-9 record, but that 4-7 record in the ACC is hurting its chances to make a push into March. Miami made the tournament last year and advanced to the second round before once again losing in a heart breaker to Texas.
Three of the final five games for Miami are away including, a matchup at #25 Florida State. They also visit 8-13 Virginia and 10-14 Georgia Tech. Boston College visits in two weeks, as well as a season finale at home facing the team that beat the Hurricanes earlier in the year, North Carolina State.
Miami will need to win at least four of its next five games to have a shot at the tournament and desperately needs to beat ranked Florida State to have a decent shot at playing in March.
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